Pitcher (Ewer)

Description

A silver pitcher or ewer with a vase shape body having an integral and slightly proud die-rolled border of a grapevine on a stippled ground above lobes chased into the lower bowl, a wide pouring spout, and rectangular hollow handle all supported by a domed pedestal base. The neck of the pitcher curves inwards and then flares outward at the rim and tall pouring lip which is encircled with a small die-rolled border of scallop shells. The pitcher base has an integral die-rolled border with a floral vine and pineapple motif as the foot rim. The inscription "M.C. TO C.R.G." engraved in cross-hatched block and italic letters is centralized on the body exterior beneath the pouring lip. The date "1826" is engraved below the initials. A name is included at the lower edge of the grapevine border: "FURST F" in Roman relief lettering. Moritz Furst, an engraver and die sinker, cut the die that was used to make the grapevine border for this pitcher; he was not a silversmith. Although it is unmarked, this pitcher's design supports an attribution to silver manufacturer William Thompson. Other examples of New York silver with signed borders by Moritz Furst include: A three-piece tea set made by John or Allen Armstrong now in the Yale University Art Gallery (1984.24); a teapot marked "BOGERT" at The Brooklyn Museum of Art (1991.142.1); a tea set offered by Christie's New York on January 23, 1988, sale #6536, lot 71; and a cream pitcher sold at Freeman's Auctions on November 19, 2011. One hypothesis for the initials engraved on this pitcher is Dr. Chandler Robbins Gilman (1802-1865) who resided in New York and spent much of his career as a professor of obstetrics at the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons.